Batman Gotham Knight (2008)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Manu G

  
  Get Ready....To Rage Against Evil. Good movie. I really like the animation style and stories. Batman truly is one of my favorite superheroes. In this 6-story anthology collection, Batman faces new villains and old ones in a time-line after Batman Begins. In "Have I Got A Story… More
  Get Ready....To Rage Against Evil. Good movie. I really like the animation style and stories. Batman truly is one of my favorite superheroes. In this 6-story anthology collection, Batman faces new villains and old ones in a time-line after Batman Begins. In "Have I Got A Story For You", 3 kids tell wildly different stories about Batman during a fight through Gotham. "Crossfire" focuses on two policemen who end up getting in the middle of a crime battle. "Field Test" has Lucius Fox creating a new technology for Batman, but is it too powerful? "In Darkness Dwells" features Killer Croc and Scarecrow, who have kidnapped a priest. "Working Through Pain" goes through flashbacks of Bruce Wayne's training while Batman finds his way through the sewers. Finally, "Deadshot" focuses on the titular sniper, who has a new target in Gotham.

• Bently L

  
  In the style of The Animatrix, Batman Gotham Knight is six different anime segments that take place before the events in The Dark Knight. All six segments are well-animated, well-told, and contain so much animated blood. The animated blood is a good thing because that proves that… More
  In the style of The Animatrix, Batman Gotham Knight is six different anime segments that take place before the events in The Dark Knight. All six segments are well-animated, well-told, and contain so much animated blood. The animated blood is a good thing because that proves that Batman can be pretty gritty. Batman Gotham Knight is a must-see for fans of the Caped Crusader. Even the younger fans should give it a try. What?! My 6-year-old cousin saw it and loved it. "I'm just doing my job."

• Conner R

  
  A great anthology of Batman stories, set in the tone of Christopher Nolan's universe. While some of the animation was not my taste at all, it was not horrible. There were a lot of great segments and Kevin Conroy still plays an amazing Batman.

• Dean M

  
  This is a collection of 6 animated Batman stories (in Anime style) aimed to fill the gap between Christopher Nolan's <i>Batman Begins</i> and <i>The Dark Knight</i>. Each story is directed by different people but unlike <i>Animatrix</i>… More
  This is a collection of 6 animated Batman stories (in Anime style) aimed to fill the gap between Christopher Nolan's <i>Batman Begins</i> and <i>The Dark Knight</i>. Each story is directed by different people but unlike <i>Animatrix</i> (WB's first animated filler compilation, done for the Matrix series), the look and feel of every episode is too similar to actually distinguish. The mood is more dark, violent and brooding than any other screen Batman interpretations. The first episode starts of relatively lightweight and is the most humorous. The stories then get edgier and darker. But for me, the real joy of watching Gotham Knights is listening to the definitive Batman/Bruce Wayne voice that is Kevin Conroy, who has been the voice of Batman in every animated films and TV series.

• Aaron N

  
  Subway Bum: Hey Bats, when your flying around above the city, whats it look like? Batman: It looks dirty. Similar to the Animatrix, this DVD is comprised of six animated shorts, written and directed by a different people. The overall connection of these shorts serves as a bridge… More
  Subway Bum: Hey Bats, when your flying around above the city, whats it look like? Batman: It looks dirty. Similar to the Animatrix, this DVD is comprised of six animated shorts, written and directed by a different people. The overall connection of these shorts serves as a bridge between Nolan's Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Besides serving as a good way to quell my waiting for The Dark Knight to come out, in terms of story, some are better than others, but the overall animation and music on each is wonderful. Its also nice that Kevin Conroy again stars as the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne, seeing as how he's been doing it in animation form for nearly 20 years. The first short is Have I Got a Story For You. (3.5 stars) It involves a group of kids each telling a story about their encounter with the Batman. All the kids have their own perspective on what the Bat looks like as well. Crossfire is next (4 stars). This story involves two cops arguing over the effectiveness of a vigilante in the city during a drive back from Arkham, when they suddenly are in the middle of a mob shootout. Batman arrives in time to show how effective he is. Next is Field Test (3 stars). This story shows Batman testing out his hi-tech gadgets. While effective, Batman decides to only go to certain lengths after a side effect of a device causes problems. Bruce Wayne: I'm willing to put my life on the line to do what I have to. But it has to be mine, no one else's. In Darkness Dwells another one of the best shorts (4.5 stars). This story involves Batman's search for a deformed criminal known as Killer Croc and the Scarecrow who still roams under the city and uses his fear toxin. He works with Lt. Gordon this time around as well. The next story is Working Through the Pain (4 stars). This is a dual story involving Batman's struggle with an injury to get out from under the city and flashbacks involving an early part of Bruce Wayne's life where he works with a spiritual women in search of finding out how to conquer pain. Alfred: Give me your hand sir [Batman standing in a sewer with handful of guns, further understanding the harsh reality he is apart of] Batman: I can't The last short is Deadshot (4.5). This story involves Batman facing of against a deadly assassin targeting not only cops but Batman as well. As mentioned, all of the shorts are very well animated and scored wonderfully, which makes this whole thing worthwhile. Nicely done. Lt. James Gordon: [Batman's been bitten by Croc] Are you in pain? Batman: I work through pain.

• Phil H

  
  Looking excellent and with top notch animation these Batman shorts are good. The first couple are abit odd and kinda surreal, I didnt enjoy them that much, but as the stories continue they get better and more like the Batman we know. The stories envolving Killer Croc and Dead Shot… More
  Looking excellent and with top notch animation these Batman shorts are good. The first couple are abit odd and kinda surreal, I didnt enjoy them that much, but as the stories continue they get better and more like the Batman we know. The stories envolving Killer Croc and Dead Shot are the best and show what could come in future movies.

• Chris G

  
  Batman Gotham Knight is an anthology of six short cartoons with each one being very different from one another. Some are way too anime like and some look like an animated comic book. The stories are hit and miss, but most of the hits are very good and most of the misses are...

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"Get Ready....To Rage Against Evil"</i> The producers of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight team with some of the most respected anime artists in Japan to explore Bruce Wayne's transition from tormented crime fighter to heroic icon of a crumbling… More
  <i>"Get Ready....To Rage Against Evil"</i> The producers of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight team with some of the most respected anime artists in Japan to explore Bruce Wayne's transition from tormented crime fighter to heroic icon of a crumbling metropolis. Separated into six distinct chapters but intended to be viewed as a whole, this stylized look at immortal DC Comics superhero is the result of a collaboration between Shojiro Nishimi (Tekkonkinkreet), Yasuhiro Aoki (Steamboy), Futoshi Higashide (Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack), Toshiyuki Kubooka (The Secret of Blue Water), and Hiroshi Morioka (Chronicle of the Wings). <b><u>Review</u></b> Gotham Knight is both entertaining & beautiful to watch. Told in separate stories, through different perspectives, Gotham Knight isn't so much a straight-up tie-in to Christopher Nolan's brilliant franchise, but a companion piece. You don't need it but it's certainly worth the watch. While it does serve as a companion piece to the uber-realism of the Nolan franchise, Gotham Knight is very different in the fact it dwells on fantasy & the bizarre, for example Batman battles Croc, a deformed & gigantic monster in the sewers beneath Gotham. In this case however it is very fun to watch all of these different writers and animators take new and exciting twists on Batman's character, but keeping in tone with his morals. So while not necessary to see, I still recommend Gotham Knight highly to anyone who is a fan of any and all incarnations of the Batman.

• Mike S

  
  As if <i>The Dark Knight</i> wasn't enough to put me in a Batman craze, along came this film as the icing on the cake. For those who are familiar to or have seen <i>The Animatrix</i>, I can inform that this one is built on the same exact concept, meaning… More
  As if <i>The Dark Knight</i> wasn't enough to put me in a Batman craze, along came this film as the icing on the cake. For those who are familiar to or have seen <i>The Animatrix</i>, I can inform that this one is built on the same exact concept, meaning it's not a full-length movie per definition, but a series of short animated films made by various artists and directors. Most of them were good both story- and animation-wise, while others (altough thankfully in a minority here) didn't really interest me at all. In that sense, this is in many ways a mixed bag, altough one that, as a whole, can only be described as very cool and visually impressive.

• Justin Y

  
  <i>Batman: Gotham Knight</i> is an animated film surrounding the Batman character and arriving around the same time as <i>The Dark Knight</i>, it fits into Christopher Nolan's Batman universe.<p>Story wise, this 70 minute animation is choppy. This… More
  <i>Batman: Gotham Knight</i> is an animated film surrounding the Batman character and arriving around the same time as <i>The Dark Knight</i>, it fits into Christopher Nolan's Batman universe.<p>Story wise, this 70 minute animation is choppy. This is because the film is broken into 6 chapters or segments. Yes, there is some continuity throughout, but each segment can stand on its own since certain villains show up in certain segments. Sorry, there is no one major villain in this film. One segment even takes the time to focus on Bruce Wayne's training in the earlier days.</p><p>Visually, this animation is alright, but not great. It falls in between the typical cartoon like <i>Teen Titans</i> and a Japanese anime like <i>Cowboy Bebop</i>. If you think about it, it is pretty close to something like <i>The Boondocks</i>. The atmosphere is dark, which is nice, and the violence is bloody. This is PG-13 and I think that is the right rating, but it is close to an R rating as well.</p><p>The voice work isn't too bad. The characters with the foreign accents, like Cassandra and Ramirez, are good while most of the other characters, including James Gordon, Alfred, and Lucius Fox, are simply OK. </p><p>This animation is a step up from a bunch of other animations, but there is still room for improvement. In the end, it is a good watch for Batman fanatics.

• _kelly .

  
  A cool smattering of different anime styles that is visually entertaining, but the plots aren't exactly Spawn material, even though they are a bit more mature than the many Saturday morning Batman shows. Definitely worth a watch for Batman fans, but not unique enough as an anime… More
  A cool smattering of different anime styles that is visually entertaining, but the plots aren't exactly Spawn material, even though they are a bit more mature than the many Saturday morning Batman shows. Definitely worth a watch for Batman fans, but not unique enough as an anime compilation for me to recommend it as a top animated movie. In other words, this ain't no "Animatrix" and this DEFINITELY ain't no "Memories", but it's a cool pastiche, though shittily written.

• A.D. V

  
  Six half-baked stories about Batman by various animators with talents that range from fantastic to godawful (the first story in particular). Rated PG-13 but it constantly flirts with R rated territory due to several gory scenes and alot of swearing.

• Luke B

  
  Beautiful animation brings to life this cash-in on the imminent release of The Dark Knight. All the stories are great as short films but none of them have enough chance to really get going. I would have preferred a single story possibly based on The Scarecrow or Bruce’s time in… More
  Beautiful animation brings to life this cash-in on the imminent release of The Dark Knight. All the stories are great as short films but none of them have enough chance to really get going. I would have preferred a single story possibly based on The Scarecrow or Bruce’s time in India. It brings forth mention of some of the new characters and gives us a feel for life after Carmine Falcone in Gotham city. Kevin Conroy is back as Batman and is of course amazing as he ever was. Though this does rather make me miss The Animated Series.

• Tim S

  
  Although the first couple of stories feel like they were rushed for release, the last 3 stories were very entertaining. Although it doesn't take much from the films, it's enjoyable none-the-less, although, a more streamlined narrative story that appropriately works between… More
  Although the first couple of stories feel like they were rushed for release, the last 3 stories were very entertaining. Although it doesn't take much from the films, it's enjoyable none-the-less, although, a more streamlined narrative story that appropriately works between films 1 and 2 would have been really cool.

• Steve K

  
  A not bad Animatrix-type lead in to The Dark Knight. Six stories, somewhat connected, bringing the viewer up to speed with the state of Gotham and Batman following the events of Batman Begins. The animation doesn't always fit the vocal work (or vice versa), but it was never… More
  A not bad Animatrix-type lead in to The Dark Knight. Six stories, somewhat connected, bringing the viewer up to speed with the state of Gotham and Batman following the events of Batman Begins. The animation doesn't always fit the vocal work (or vice versa), but it was never boring. At the very least, it's something different to quench our thirst as we wait for July 18th to arrive.

• James A

  
  Beautiful animation and great Batman stories voiced by Kevin Conroy. As for this bridging the two Nolan Batman films I firmly disagree. These stories work better as a great stand a lone and not incorporated into the movie Batman Universe.

• Michael G

  
  Batman: Gotham Knight consists of 6 short Anime films that somehow tie Batman Begins and The Dark Knight together. The Batmanimatrix, basically. Some were really cool (Deadshot, In Darkness Dwells), some just okay (Field Test, Crossfire) and some were pretty much pointless (Have I Got… More
  Batman: Gotham Knight consists of 6 short Anime films that somehow tie Batman Begins and The Dark Knight together. The Batmanimatrix, basically. Some were really cool (Deadshot, In Darkness Dwells), some just okay (Field Test, Crossfire) and some were pretty much pointless (Have I Got a Story For You, Working Through Pain.) I'm told these are just episode excerpts from the Japanese Batman show redubbed and repackaged so Warner Bros can strike while the iron is hot with Batman being so big right now. Gotham Knight starts off pretty weak but eventually picks up to an great ending. If I didn't get the 2-disc edition (with a Bob Kane documentary and 4 Batman the Animated Series episodes) this might have been a total waste. Ultimately this is just something to watch when you're in a Batman kind of mood and you're burned out on everything else...

• David L

  
  This is a cool Batman animated movie that has stories that take place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, its not required to see these before The Dark Knight but does introduce some characters that will appear in the film. This is a animated movie that is made up of six… More
  This is a cool Batman animated movie that has stories that take place between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, its not required to see these before The Dark Knight but does introduce some characters that will appear in the film. This is a animated movie that is made up of six stories that tie in together. Each with different animation and writer. Now, onto the stories: "Have I Got a Story for You" once again brings the same beautiful and completely abstract animation done by the same people at Studio 4C that created Beyond to the Animatrix fans. Although the dialogue tries a bit too hard and the ideas don't really make sense, it still makes for an excellent story about different perspectives of one mythical creature known as the Batman. "Crossfire"This was one of my personal favorites. This one shows the disdain that certain good cops have for the vigilante-ism that the Batman brings to Gotham. The animation in this is particularly artistic and at parts scary (just look for the Arkham inmates, they'll freak you the hell out), and overall mind blowing. "Field Test" brought in the character of Lucius Fox and a machine that can stop bullets, making the Batman virtually unstoppable, but does it have a side effect? The ideas in this one are very innovative although I could've done without the added golfing scene...but there is one particularly amusing line that you should look for before Bruce puts on the tights. "In Darkness Dwells" is a particularly dark macabre Batman story, one that I particularly enjoyed. The animation done in the sewers of Gotham was really well done and the colours were very well expressed. It also had an excellent plot combining two villains together in one movie (can you say test for TDK?). "Working Through Pain" was another personal favorite. It tells the story of how Bruce Wayne learnt to defeat both internal and external pain in India under a very mysterious tutor. Amazing animation, wonderful acting, and a plot to die for. The ending when I first watched it was very confusing, but if it confuses you, don't worry, it will all be made clear in the next short. Great work on this one: "Deadshot" introduced the identically named new villain/hit-man into the Batman universe and what an addition it was. This again was another perfectly written plot and perfectly animated movie, making it my absolute favourite of them all. The sheer impossibility and yet perfect sense of it all made it a true treat to watch. To sum up. This might not be a film for everyone with the different animation styles and stories but its well worth checking out for Batman fans.

• Chris B

  
  A great animated progression of Batman from his first attempt at crime fighting to being the Dark Knight. Great animation and a medley of different stories each with it's own story but all can be viewed as a whole as well.

• Duncan R

  
  "<i>The Animatrix</i> with Batman" might sound good on paper. But out of the entire anthology, the only short film I enjoyed was <i>Working Through Pain</i>. The others had moments of brilliance, but on the whole they weren't all that… More
  "<i>The Animatrix</i> with Batman" might sound good on paper. But out of the entire anthology, the only short film I enjoyed was <i>Working Through Pain</i>. The others had moments of brilliance, but on the whole they weren't all that entertaining.

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